birdsall



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

I f E. M; BIRDSALL.

' TRAGTION ENGINE. No. 404,157. Patented May 28, 1889.

Fig.1.

I zren'for ZJ W w u. PETERS. Plmtwlillwgraphcr. Washington. 0.0.

(No Model.) -3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. M. BIRDSALL.

TRACTION ENGINE.

No. 404,157. Patented May 28, 1889,

5 9' .1 m Hummus; c h

UNITED STATES ATENT EDGAR M. BIRDSALL, OF BUFFALO, NEXV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MARY BIRD- SALL, OF SAME PLACE.

TRACTION-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 404,157, dated May 28, 1889.

Application filed December 29,1838. Serial No. 294,928. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDGAR M. BIRDsALL, of the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Traction-Engines, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to that class of traction-engines in which the steering apparatus is operated from the rear end of the machine.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, compact, and durable steering apparatus which can be easily operated.

Myinvention consists of the improvements which will be hereinafter fully described, and

pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of three sheets, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a traction-engine provided with my improved 2o steering apparatus. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the engine. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation in line a; :12, Fig. 2. Fig. at is a horizontal section in line y y, Fig. 2, on an enlarged scale.

2 5 Fig. 5 is a cross-section in line 00 00, Fig. 3, on

an enlarged scale. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the front axle, the boiler-saddle, and connecting parts with the boiler removed. Fig.

7 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the swiveling connection between the worm and the steering-shaft. Fig. Sis ahorizontal crosssection in line y y, Fig. 3.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

3 5 A represents the concave saddle or support upon which the front portion of the boiler A rests, and B the front axle of the traction-' engine.

0 represents a downwardly-projecting segmental rim or collar formed on the lower side of the saddle A, and D represents the steering post or spindle, which bears against the inner concentric surface of the collar 0. The steering-post D is provided at its lower end with a fiat-sided depending lug, d, which is pivoted to the front axle, B, by a horizontal bolt, d, passing transversely through the axle in the usual manner, so as to permit the axle to rock on the steering-post, while compelling the axle to swing with the steering-post.

6 represents a spiral spring seated in a recess or socket, 6, formed in the steering-post D, and upon which the'boiler-sa'ddle A rests. The steering-post D is provided at its upper end with a head or laterally projecting flange, E.

6 represents a segmental slot formed-in the head E and curved concentric with the steering-post, and through which the rim or collar 0 of the saddle is inserted. The collar O fits snugly in the slot 6 and the ends of the slot extend beyond the ends of therim or collar, so as to permit a lateral swinging movement of the steering-post within the rim or collar. The inner curved face of the rim or collar C bears against the outer curved face of the steering-post, and the lower end of the collar is provided with a strap, 0, and a segment or filling-block, c, which with the lower end of the collar surrounds the steering-post and holds the latter in a vertical position.

f represents a depending arm formed on the lower front side of the head E and secured to the outer end of the pivot-bolt cl, the latter passing through an opening in the lower portion of the arm f. The arm f receives a portion of the strain in steering the machine, and thereby relieves the lug d of the steering-post from undue strain when the latter is turned.

F represents a horizontal worm-segment, which is arranged to slide in a laterally and rearwardly projecting arm or bracket, G,

' formed on one side of the saddle A. This worm-segment is provided with an upward extension, g, arranged concentric with the segment and having flanges g, which are guided in curved undercut grooves or ways g formed on the under side of the outer end of the bracket G, as represented in Figs. 2 and 5.

h represents radially projecting arms formed on the head or flange E of the steel ing-post-. These arms are provided at their outer ends with vertical fiat-sided faces, which are arranged between ways or jaws h, formed 9 5 on the inner side of the segment F,'on oppo-. site ends thereof. These jaws are made of such height as to allow of the necessary free vertical movement of the segment F without disengaging the latter from the arms 71.. I00 H represents a worm meshing with the toothed segment F and mounted on an arbor,

i, which is secured in an adjustable hanger, L. The latter is pivoted at its upper outer end in a depending frame or extension, 7, formed on the outer end of the bracket G, so that the worm can be thrown into or out of engagement with the seginei'it, if desired. The hanger L is held in an elevated position, so as to engage the worm with the segment by means of a locking-pin, Z, passing through openings F. The openings Z are formed in flanges or cheek-pieces Z of the frame I.

Z" represents two openings formed in the cheek-pieces 7/ below the openings Z \Vhen it is desired to disengage theworm II from the toothed segment F, the pin Z is removed so as to allow the hanger L to swing downwardly and outwardly away from the segment. The worm II is held in this position out of engagementwith the segment by passing the lockingpin 7. through the lower set of openings, Z".

N represents an inclined steering-shaft arranged on one side of theboiler and terminating at therearend of the machine. The shaft N is arranged in a bearing, 72, seen'red to the rear frame of the machine, and is provided with a hand-wl1eel,n, whereby the same is actuated.

N represents a shaft passing obliquely underneath the boiler and connected at its rear end to the front lower end of the shaftNbya universal joint, 91* The front end of the 0blique shaft N provided with an enlarged bifurcated head, 71, having inwardly-projecting pins 0, which fit in notches 0, formed in opposite sides of the adjacent end of the worm II. The pins oarelooselyheldin saidnotches by a head or shoulder, 0 formed at the rear end of the arbor f, as shown in Fig. 7. The head 0 is arranged a sufficient distance away from the notches o to allow the pins 0 ample freedom of movemeilt, without, however, permitting the same to leave the notches. This construction forms a swivelingconnection, which permits the worm II to be swung into and out if engagement with the segment F without causing binding of the oblique shaft N. The rear end of the latter is fitted sufiiciently loose in a bearing, 0 secured to the under side of the boiler to permit of the en gagement and disengagement of theworm II.

Upon turning the steering-shafts 1* N the worm II shifts the gear-segment 1 upon the bracket G, and this movement is transmitted to the steering-post and the axle connected th erew ith.

The almve-dcscribed connection between the segmentFand the head Eof the steeringpost permits the boiler to rise and fall without ai't'ectingthe other parts of the steering-mechanism.

I claim as my invention 1. In a tractiml-engine, the combination, with the boiler support or saddle and the front axle, of a steering-post pivoted to the front axle and connected with the saddle, a spring or cushion interposed between the sad die and s1:eering-1')ost,a gear-segment supported from the saddle and connected with the steering-post, and a worm-wheel engaging with the geznr-segment, whereby the segment and steering-post are turned upon rotating the worm-wheel, substantially as set forth.

2. In a traetion-engine, the combination, with the boiler support or saddle and the front axle, of a steering-post pivoted to the front axle, a spring seated in a socket formed in the steering-post and supporting the saddle, a movable gear-segment supported from the saddle and connected with the steering-post so as to turn therewith and move Vertically independent of the steering-post, and a wormwheel en gagii'lg with the gear-segment,whereby the segment and steering-post are turned upon rotating the worm-wheel, substantially as set forth.

In a traction-engii'ie, the combination, with the boileissaddle, the front axle, and the steering-post, of a movable gear-segment supported from the saddle and adjustably connected with the steering-post, a worm-wheel engaging with the gear-segment, and. an ad justable hanger upon which the worm-wheel is mounted, whereby said worm can be engaged with or disengaged from the gear-segment, substantially as set forth.

at. In a traction -engine, the combination, with the boiler-saddle, the front axle, and the steering-post, of a gear-segment Sll])l)(')]'l 0(l from the saddle and adj ustably connected with the steering'post, a worm engaging with said gear-segment, and a sectional shaft attzuihed to said worm and extending to the rear end of the machine, substantially set forth.

5. In a traction-engine, the combination, with the boiler-saddle A, provided with a segmental rim, 0, and a bracket, G, of the steering-post I), provided with a head, E, having a segmental slot, 6 in which the segmental rim of the saddle engages, and radial arms 71, formed on said head, and a rm'iva-ble gear-segment, I ,supported from the bracket (1 and provided withv vertical ways or jaws 7t',Wlll(:ll. engage with the arms 7b of the steering-post, substantially as set forth.

(3. In a traction -cngine, the combination, with the bracket G, provided with grooves g, and the gear-segment I provided with flanges g, engaging in the grooves of the bracket, of an adjustable arm or hanger, Ii, pivoted. to said bracket, a worm, ll, mounted on an arbor arranged on said hanger, and a steering-shaft connected-with said worm by a swiveling-connection, substantially as set forth.

7. In a lilLGlllOl'l-Gllg'lllO, the combination, with the bracket G, and the gear-segment F, supported by said bracket, of the worm II, meshing with said segment, and the adjustable hanger L, secured to the bracket G and carrying said worm, substantially as set forth.

8. In a traction-engine, the combination, with the saddle A,provided with a segmental rim, (1, and a bracket, G, of a steering-post, l), a head, l l,formcd on said stcerii'lg-post and. provided with a segmental slot in which. the

rim 0 of the saddle engages, and a gear-seginent supported on said bracket and movably connected with the head of the steering-post, substantially as set forth.

9. In a traction -engine, the combination, with the front axle, and the boiler-saddle A, provided with a segmental rim, 0, and a bracket, G, of a steering-post, D, pivoted to the axle by a bolt, cl, a head, E, formed on the steering-post and provided with a segmental slot in which the rim. 0 of the saddle engages, a depending arm, f, formed on the head of the steering-post and secured at its lower end to the pivot-bolt cl, and a gear-segment, F, supported from the bracket G and adj us'tably 15 connected with the head of the steering-post, substantially as set forth.

\Vitness myhand this 27th day of October, 1888.

EDGAR M. BIRDSALL.

WVitnesses:

CHESTER D. HOWE, C. J. BUCHHEIT. 

